Private customized instruction to improve your confidence and skill on the water or to qualify for vessel insurance.

Learn from a USCG / STCW Licensed Master to 500 ITC Gross Tons — certified sailing and power boating instructor with 40 years experience.

Let’s get started today!

Delivery captain providing professional and efficient yacht delivery.

Alleviating boat owner’s workload and stress , so you can simply enjoy yourself.

Customer Reviews

Write a Google Review, they are helpful and much appreciated. John has a 5 Star rating on Google.

  • Derek P.

    Captain Sheppard’s training is a must if you are looking to operate a larger vessel and navigate the waters safely. He left us confident in docking, anchoring, chart/plotting/nav, electrical systems, basic mechanical/engineering, vessel maintenance, boating safety/regulations, navigating rough seas and much more while having fun doing it. Most importantly, Captain Sheppard’s training satisfies increasing insurance requirements to operate a larger vessel.

  • Dan B.

    I have had two lessons w Captain John and both have been extraordinary. He is a wealth of knowledge and has a very solid way of teaching, coaching and collaborating. I highly recommend any sailor taking advantage of his skills.

  • Nick W.

    Captain John skippered Moonglow for Swiftsure 2023 and taught ASA106 at the same time. It was a great experience pounding through 5’ waves to the mark and flying down wind at 10kts under spinnaker. Captain John runs a stress free boat even under the most high pressure situations. I would definitely race with him again.

  • John C.

    John did a great job delivering our new 2023 Jeanneau 410 from Marine Service Centers location on Lake Union to their location in Bellingham. He did this in one day providing on going written log updates by text several times during the delivery which migtigated any worry during the 12 hours it took. The boat was left clean and in "ship shape" when we arrived the following day to pick up.

  • Sarah S.

    Super fun, knowledgeable and an excellent teacher. I highly recommend Captain John!

  • Heather J.

    Captain John is an engaging and informative instructor. I recently took his COLREGS course and left with a much greater understanding of on the water rules and etiquette. This subject is dense but he structured it in a way that made it much more accessible. Highly recommend!

  • Bart M.

    Great SAiling Experience!!!

  • Todd C.

    Very professional and helpful. All details of the purchase were taken care of without a hitch. Great to deal with!

  • Mary K.

    We love in the US and bought a boat in Canada. Captain Sheppard helped guide us through each step of the process. Thanks to his support, contacts and knowledge, we now have a boat we love.

  • Philiappa S.

    Captain John Sheppard is knowledgeable and passionate about safe boating. We took his class on the COLREGS, and his presentation was excellent. He explained the regulations clearly and gave examples to help us remember them. Whether you sail or motor, this class would make you enjoy your time on the water more safely. We appreciate that John works so hard to improve boater safety in the Puget Sound area.

  • Jean-Pierre B.

    John was my instructor during an ASA 106 class in May 2023 involving the 102nm Swifsure race out of Victoria and 120 nm of sailing between Seattle and Victoria. I found John helpful when we needed coaching while giving us plenty of leeway to take initiatives in situations which we had under control as students in an advanced class.

  • Phillip K.

    Capt. John Sheppard is not only a licensed delivery captain but an experienced sailing instructor as well. I engaged him after a different captain totally forgot we had arranged for his help delivering my sailboat. Capt. John was professional in every respect—promptly replied to phone calls and email, clearly communicated his financial and boat safety requirements, and his boat handling was exceptional. Plus he took the time to provide the instruction and coaching I needed on single-handing the boat.

boat-broker

There are no two ways about it — buying or selling a boat takes time and energy. A yacht sales professional with the right tools, systems, and network will simplify your transaction and maximize your value.

I work with Marine Servicenter — a brokerage that has operated since 1977 and has numerous awards from multiple boat manufacturers, including Jeanneau Dealer of the Year in 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

“Now and then, we had a hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates.”

— Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi